Raceway thanks first responders with Appreciation Night

Published: Thursday, July 18, 2013 at 07:32 PM.

First responders will enjoy the view trackside at this weekend’s First Responders Appreciation Night at Coastal Plains Raceway.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Saturday, and first responders will be admitted free with a badge, valid identification, certification or a uniform; their family members’ admission cost is10, but kids 12 years and younger can come free. General admission is $12 for all others.

The raceway is located at
4744 Richlands Hwy.
in
Jacksonville
.

The night’s slogan, “Giving back to our first responders,” sums up Coastal Plains Raceway’s owner Ronnie Humphrey’s idea that all first responders should be rewarded for the service they provide to the community.

“There’s times in our walk of life that we need these services and what a great way to repay our responders,” Humphrey said. “It’s a great idea to reward them with a night of entertainment.”

The event will feature the Sunoco Super Series 210, with five divisions of stock car racing, plus the Summit Super Series at the dragway. Humphrey said those who attend will get two shows for the price of one: drag racing and stock car racing.

Gates open at
5 p.m.
to start practice and qualifying rounds, all the while families and children can enjoy concessions and the playground.

First responders will enjoy the view trackside at this weekend’s First Responders Appreciation Night at Coastal Plains Raceway.

Gates open at 5 p.m. Saturday, and first responders will be admitted free with a badge, valid identification, certification or a uniform; their family members’ admission cost is10, but kids 12 years and younger can come free. General admission is $12 for all others.

The raceway is located at 4744 Richlands Hwy. in Jacksonville.

The night’s slogan, “Giving back to our first responders,” sums up Coastal Plains Raceway’s owner Ronnie Humphrey’s idea that all first responders should be rewarded for the service they provide to the community.

“There’s times in our walk of life that we need these services and what a great way to repay our responders,” Humphrey said. “It’s a great idea to reward them with a night of entertainment.”

The event will feature the Sunoco Super Series 210, with five divisions of stock car racing, plus the Summit Super Series at the dragway. Humphrey said those who attend will get two shows for the price of one: drag racing and stock car racing.

Gates open at 5 p.m. to start practice and qualifying rounds, all the while families and children can enjoy concessions and the playground.

Coastal Plains Raceway Operations Assistant Peggy Vance said first responders will also have the chance to win donated prizes, such as gift certificates for dinners, lunches, oil changes, a chiropractor visit and even a flat screen TV.

Racing begins at 8 p.m.

Col. Boyd Brown of the Onslow County Sheriff’s Office, who owns a street stock Camaro that races at Coastal Plains Raceway, said he really appreciates the track donating the time and the money to celebrate first responders.

“We are a tight-knit community of first responders,” he said. “It’s like a brotherhood. We stick together.”

Brown said there will be different equipment from the agencies on display at the track, such as the D.A.R.E. Car and the OCSO Humvee.

He also said that OnslowCounty first responders are not the only ones invited to attend — they have extended the invitation to first responders from New Hanover, Pender, Duplin, Jones, Craven and Carteret counties.